Flexible ammunition chute



June 21, 1949. 1- w1s AL 2,473,716

FLEXIBLE AMMUNITION CHUTE Filed May 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet i 4 15 we!22 25 W L 2s0/v,

INVENTORS ATTORNEY.-

GLEN 111.

June 21,1949. H, B, LEWIS ETAL 2,473,716

FLEXIBLE AMMUNITION CHUTE Filed May 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i U m [1[JUL (1 0 W L1" 0 I 25" 23 .Z/M/AQD BLEW/s,

GAE/v.44. LAQso/v,

INVENTOR5 J0 BY ATTORNEY.

Patented June 21,1949

FLEXIBLE AMMUNITION CHUTE Howard B. Lewis, Venice, and Glen M. Larson,Hollywood, Calif.

Application May 25, 1943, Serial No. 488,384

16 Claims.

This invention relates to flexible ammunition chutes for the supply ofammunition such as cartridges from fixed containers, that is ammunitionboxes, to movable firearms such as machine guns, turret guns and thelike.

Guns of the type referred to are flexible in their movement duringoperation as well as flexible in position, consequently it is desirableto have ammunition chutes which may adapt themselves to the variouschanging positions of the gun and breech of the same to which theammunition chute is attached. This flexibility of the chute is extremelydesirable as ordinarily the ammunition box while adjacent the gun is notin fixed relation thereto. In some cases with various small arms theammunition box is attached to the gun but with the increase in caliberand size of ammunition it has now become objectionable to mount theammunition box on the gun itself due to the size and weight of the boxof ammunition.

It is an object of this invention to provide a flexible ammunition chuteof the class described which has a maximum flexibility, minimum weightand which aiiords a minimum of resistance to the flow of ammunitionthrough the chute.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an ammunition chute ofthe character described to provide a chute which may be readily takenapart to remove damaged portions and also for the purpose of varying thelength of the chute as occasion may require. To attain this object thechute is preferably made up of a series of links arranged transverselyof the length of the chute, the links being secured to each other insuch a manner as to allow a predetermined relative movement between thelinks, flexibility of the chute when assembled and at the same time soarranged that the links may be readily attached or detached from eachother.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter from the followingdescription and the drawings, it being understood that the ammunitionchute illustrated embodies a preferred form of our invention but thatthe invention is not limited to the particular structure of the linksand associated parts shown. Referring to the drawings, which are forillustrative purposes only- Fig. 1 is a face view of a series of linksforming a part of the ammunition chute, the links being shown inextended position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the links in collapsedposition;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3--3 A? O1 Flg. 1,

Fig. i is a longitudinal sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a face view of a metal strip on which the lint-rs are formed,the portion at the left of the figure showing the strip and the portionat the right showing the tabs bent over the body of the link to formhooks hereinafter more par- Fig. 9 is a face view of a series of linksforming a modified form of ammunition chute;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line l0lll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of twoadjacent links and illustrating the manner of disconnecting the links;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing the chute connected at one end tothe ammunition box and at the other to the breech of a gun.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, each link E5 of the chuteis formed from a thin metal blank or strip indicated at l6 (see Fig. 5).Formed on this blank is a series of double eye members indicated at I!having arranged therebetween single eye members indicated at l8. Formedon the blank and extending oppositely therefrom with relation to the eyemembers is a series of tabs indicated at l9. The central portion of theblank is depressed or deformed as indicated at 28 thereby forming abridge hereinafter more particularly referred to. As shown in the righthand portion of Fig. 5 the next step in forming the link consists inbending the tabs l9 over the blank thereby forming hooks indicated at 2L When the hooks have been bent or formed on the blank as just describedthe ends of the blank are folded or bent into the form shown in Fig. 8.The two ends of the blank form U-shaped' members connected by means ofthe bridge 29. Formed on sheets 22 of thin spring material are aplurality of leaves 23 which are extensive enough to cover the doubleeyes of the blank. Between each of the leaves 23 is a leaf 24 which isextensive enough to cover the single eye. The sheets 22 are bent toconform to the interior of the U-shaped members. and are then secured tothe blank by means of spot welding as indicated at 25.

It is to be noted that the blank between the eye members is depressed asindicated at 26 thereby forming together with the leaf members pocketsindicated at 21.

After each individual link has been formed, as above described, thelinks are assembled by inserting the eye members, of one linkinto thepocket 21. of the next link until the ends of the eye members of onelink have passed the books on the next link as is best illustrated inFig. 4, the eye members being inserted between the hooks and the leafmember of the respctiv links and when so inserted the eye members areengaged by the hooks as illustrated.

When so assembled the leaves en one link overlap the leaves on the nextlink thereby forming a smooth unobstructed friction surface or trackengaged by the ammunition and affording a free flow o f ammunitionthrough the chute in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4,

1 1 8 nksmay be. taken apart as illustrated in Fig. 11 by collapsing thechute into the position indicated in Fig. 2 and by the insertion of asmall fiat tool 29 in one of the eyes or openings 30 in the links intoengagement with the end of the eye member and depressing such end untilit is. free of its associated hook, it being understood that the leavesare sufiiciently yieldable to per mil; suchdisplaeement of the eyemembers.

Diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 12 is an mmun tion. box .2 and thebreech porti n f machine gun or other firearm 33;.and an ammuni-. tionchute embodyingour invention connected to the ammunition box and thebreech of the, gun. It is to be understood that various types of tt n my e. mplo d f r connecting the chute to the boxand gun, a hqok;illustrated at being us d t a iv pur oses a a n.- nection for the chuteto the ammunition box and a clamp indicated at .35 for connectionwiththeree h of th em Ami S a e fo m connecting means may be used it beingllIldQlffiOQQ' that such connection means is spot welded or otherwisattached to the links at the ends Of the chute.

It is further to be understood that the chuteis e i e or use h a elt. ofc r ridge u h-es is commonly sed. In Fig. 3 is illustrated a Q l Q Of aartridg 49 in the chu it e d l ed. that e cart d s. r fre mo ein thechute, guidedin the track formed by the overlappin leaves. The depressedbridge por:. tion of the chute allows free movement of the. cartridgebelt, illustrated at ll, and the open portion'of the chute indicated at42 also, allows. free movement of the cartridge belt throughtlre chute.

In the modified form of our invention, illus trated in Figs. 9 and 10,the links arepermanently secured to each other. This is accomplished byspot welding, as indicated at 2 the hooks Z-l to the sheets 22 on whichthe leaves 23 and 24 are. formed. This operation is performed; throughthe openings 30. after thelin-ksare assembled.

With this construction flexibility of the chute is not detracted frombut the eye members [land I8 cannot be disengaged from the hooks.

We claim as. our invention:

1. An ammunition chute comprising: a series of sheet metal links looselyassociated with each other; means at the ends, top and bottom of eachlink for extensibly. connecting-said links together- 4 and for limitingthe movement between said links; and a plurality of leaves mounted oneach link, the leaves on each link overlapping and slidably engaging theleaves on the next adjacent link.

2. An ammunition chute comprising: a series of sheet metal links looselyassociated with each other; means at the ends, top and bottom of eachlink: for extensibly and detachably connecting said links together andfor limiting the movement between said links; and a plurality of leavesmounted on each link, the leaves on each link overlapping and slidablyengaging the leaves on the next adjacent link.

3, In an ammunition chute the combination of:- a series of transverselydisposed links loosely associated with each other, each of said linkscomprising an elongated member having its ends bent toform twooppositely disposed U-shaped guides connected by a bridge member;cooperating means on the guide portions of said links connecting thelinksv with a limited extensible relative movement therebetween, andoverlapping leaves, on said links in slidable engagement with each otherforming friction surfaces for engagement by the ammunition.

4. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a, series of transverselydisposed sheet metal links loosely associated with each other, each ofsaid links comprising an elongated member having its ends bent to formtwo oppositely disposed U.-shaped ammunition guides connected by abridge member; hooks formed on the top, bottom and ends of each link;and eye members formed on the. top, bottom and ends of each linkcooperatin with the hook members on the adjacent links to allow apredetermined limited extensible movement between the links.

In an ammunition chute the combination ofrfi: a; series of transverselydisposed sheet metal links loosely associated with each other, each ofsaid links comprising an elongated strip havingv its endsbent to formtwo oppositely disposed U- shapedammunition guides connected by a bridgeme r nber; hooks formed on each link; and eye members formed on eachlink cooperating with the hook members on the-adjacent links to allow apredetermined extensible relative movement between the links, each ofsaid links having a leaf secured thereto overlapping the leaf on anotherlink.

6.. In an ammunition chute the combination oi: a, series of transverselydisposed. sheet metal links. loosely associated with each other, each ofsaid links comprising an elongated strip having its ends bent to formtwo oppositely disposed rsh pfl ammuni ion uides conne ed y a bridgemember; a plurality of hooks formed on. eachlink; and a plurality of eyemembers formed on each link cooperating with the, hook members on theadjacent links to allow a predetermined extensible movement, between thelinks, said eyes. being clepressible out of engagement with theirassociated hook members.

7. In an ammunition chute the combination, ofta seriesof transverselydisposed sheet metal. links loosely associated with each other, each ofsaid'linkscomprising an elongated strip having itsends bent to form twooppositely disposed U-shaped ammunition guides connected by a bridgemember; a plurality of hooks formed on each link; and a plurality of eyemembers formed on each link cooperatin with the hook members on theadjacent links to allow a predetermined extensible movement between thelinks, each of said links having a leaf secured thereto overlap ping theleaf on another link, certain of the hooks being attached at their openends to the link on which the hook is formed to prevent dislodgement oftheir associated ye members.

8. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a series of transverselydisposed sheet metal links, each of said links comprising an elongatedstrip having its ends bent to form two oppositely dis posed U-shapedammunition guides connected by a bridge member; hooks formed on eachlink; eye members formed on each link cooperating with the hook memberson the adjacent links to allow a predetermined relative movement betweenthe links; a sheet of yieldable metal bent to conform to the inner faceof the U-shaped guides attached thereto; and leaves formed on said sheeteach extending over the leaves on an adjacent link to form substantiallyuninterrupted ammunition engaging surfaces.

9. In an ammunition chute: a link comprising an elongated sheet metalstrip; eye members formed on said strip extending laterally therefromeach having an elongated eye therein; hook members formed on said stripconsisting of tabs formed on the strip and bent thereover; and aplurality of yieldable metal leaves attached to the strip extendinglaterally therefrom.

10. An ammunition chute comprising: a series of transversely disposedlinks loosely associated with each other; means at the ends, top andbottom of said links for extensibly connecting said links; a pluralityof thin spring leaves secured to each link extending laterallytherefrom, the leaves on one link overlapping the leaves on the nextlink.

11. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a series of links looselyassociated with each other; hook members at the ends, top and bottom ofeach link; eye members on each link cooperating with the hook members onthe adjacent link to allow a predetermined limited extensible movementbetween the links; a plurality of leaves on each link, the leaves oneach link overlapping and slideably engaging the leaves on the nextadjacent link.

12. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a series of links looselyassociated with each other; a plurality of hook members on each link atthe ends, top and bottom of said links; eye members on each linkcooperating with the hook members on the adjacent link to allow apredetermined limited extensible movement between the links; a leaf oneach link, the leaf on one link overlapping and slideably engaging theleaf on the next adjacent link; said links having openings therein overthe hook members on the links to afford access to the eyes thereunder;said eye members being depressible out of engagement with theirassociated hook members.

13. In an ammunition chute the combination of: a series of transverselydisposed metal links,

each of said links comprising an elongated memberhaving its ends bent toform two oppositely disposed U-shaped ammunition guides connected by abridge member; hooks formed on each link; eye members formed on eachlink cooperating with the hook members on the adjacent links to allow apredetermined relative movement between the links; a sheet of yieldablemetal bent to conform to the inner face of the U-shaped guides attachedthereto; and leaves formed on said sheet in overlapping engagement withth leaves on an adjacent link to form substantially uninterruptedammunition engaging surfaces.

14. In a flexible feed chute, the combination of a plurality oftransverse elements disposed sideby-side to outline a member-guidingpassage, means for detachably interconnecting said trans verse elementsfor limited movement in a direction toward and away from each other, anda plurality of overlapping wall plates supported within said passage bysaid transverse elements and forming an articulated lining therefor.

15. In a flexible feed chute, the combination of a plurality oftransverse elements disposed side-by-side to outline a member-guidingpassage, means for detacha-bly interconnecting said transverse elementsfor limited movement in a direction toward and away from each other,said means including flexible interengaging portions on adjacenttransverse elements relatively mov able to a position of non-engagement,and a plurality of overlapping wall plates supported within said passageby said transverse elements and forming an articulated lining therefor.

16. In an ammunition chute, a link comprising an elongated member bentupon itself to form U-shaped ends and to form a central depressedbridging portion, means forming flexible eye members projectinglaterally from one edge of the U-shaped ends, and tab-like meansprojecting from the other edge of the U-shaped ends bent back upon themember to overlie the same forming hooks within the lateral limits ofthe member on the inside of the U-shaped ends.

HOWARD B. LEWIS. GLEN M. LARSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,284,488 Johnson May 26, 19422,307,389 Carter Jan. 5, 1943 2,378,652 Nobles et al June 19, 19452,419,315 Elliott Apr. 22, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date779,026 France Jan. 5, 1943 644,053 Germany Apr. 23, 1937

